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Here is the
long awaited 2004-05 NFL Football Season Preview.
We go in depth on every AFC team. We review the team,
and then grade the team. Where does your team stack
up?
*Click
Here for NFC Previews*
NFL
Kansas
City Chiefs
Predicted order of finish in the AFC West: First
Coach: Dick Vermeil, fourth season
(27-21), 14th season overall (103-94).
2003: 13-3 (first in AFC West). Lost to Indianapolis
38-31 in AFC divisional playoff.
Key additions: OL Chris Bober, DT
Lional Dalton, DT Junior Siavii, OT John Welbourn,
TE Kris Wilson.
Key losses: K Morten Andersen, DT
Eric Downing, DT Eddie Freeman, DT Derrick Ransom,
OT Marcus Spears, OT John Tait, DE R-Kal Truluck.
Pre-snap read: Behind All-Pro RB
Priest Holmes, the Chiefs led the league in scoring
and were No. 2 in yards last season. But the defense
was 29th. After Colts QB Peyton Manning shredded the
Chiefs for 304 yards and three TDs in the playoffs,
Vermeil let defensive coordinator Greg Robinson go
and brought back Gunther Cunningham. The Chiefs' one-time
coach and longtime defensive coordinator has implemented
a simpler system, based on athleticism and aggressiveness.
Cunningham will try to get DT Ryan Sims, the team's
2002 first-round pick, to play to his potential and
fix a unit that gave up 146.5 rushing yards per game.
With MLB Mike Maslowski out for the season, the Chiefs
will count on second-year Kawika Mitchell. The offense
is run competently by QB Trent Green, who relies on
Holmes and TE Tony Gonzalez, because his receivers
are average. The team's other star is KR Dante Hall,
who scored on returns in an NFL-record four consecutive
games early last season. Wilson, the Chiefs' second-round
draft pick, was expected to add another dimension,
but he could miss the season with a broken leg. The
Chiefs were two victories from the Super Bowl in 2003,
and they are gambling Cunningham is worth two.
What to expect: With one of the best
offenses in the league, the Chiefs should be able
to dominate their division and win enough shootouts
to make another good run at the Super Bowl.
The line on the line: The team must
replace Tait, but this unit is one of the league's
best. The middle three — C Casey Wiegmann and
OGs Will Shields and Brian Waters — are very
athletic, and LT Willie Roaf is still going strong.
Grade: A
NFL
AFC West: Denver Broncos preview
Predicted order of finish in the AFC West: Second
Coach: Mike Shanahan, 10th season
(91-53), 12th season overall (99-65).
2003: 10-6 (second in AFC West). Lost to Indianapolis
41-10 in AFC wild-card playoff.
Key additions: CB Champ Bailey, DE
Marco Coleman, DT Luther Elliss, RB Garrison Hearst,
DE Raylee Johnson, S John Lynch.
Key losses: DE Bertrand Berry, QB
Steve Beuerlein, LB Keith Burns, DT Daryl Gardener,
LB Ian Gold, WR Ed McCaffrey, LB John Mobley, RB Clinton
Portis, TE Shannon Sharpe.
Pre-snap read: The Broncos pulled
off the biggest blockbuster deal in a decade in the
hopes that Bailey will help boost the Broncos' interceptions
from a league-low nine in 2003. The team also brought
in Lynch to give veteran leadership to an ever-changing
secondary. Denver lost Berry's 11.5 sacks but brought
in three veterans to help make up for the loss, and
the Broncos figure to remain a top-10 defense despite
the loss of three linebackers. The offense lost its
top rusher (Portis, in the Bailey deal), No. 2 receiver
(Sharpe) and backup QB. That means big things are
expected of second-year RB Quentin Griffin and third-year
WR Ashley Lelie, a former first-round pick who has
been a bust. QB Jake Plummer, who missed five games
last year, will have to stay healthy because Danny
Kanell has proved to be a bad backup option.
What to expect: The offense will
be the Achilles, and three tough games at the end
of the season could keep the Broncos out of the playoffs
for the third time in four years.
The line on the line: Veteran C Tom
Nalen, RG Dan Neil and LT Matt Lepsis are the key
to the Broncos' running game, which was No. 2 in the
league in 2003. Lepsis is moving from RT to accommodate
2003 first-rounder George Foster. Grade: A-
NFL
AFC West: Oakland Raiders preview
Predicted order of finish in the AFC West: Third
Coach: Norv Turner, first season,
eighth season overall (49-59-1).
2003: 4-12 (third in AFC West). Coach
Bill Callahan lost control of his veteran team just
a year after it had reached the Super Bowl, and was
fired after just two seasons.
Key additions: DB Ray Buchanan, LB
Danny Clark, QB Kerry Collins, OT Robert Gallery,
C Jake Grove, DE Bobby Hamilton, DL Warren Sapp, OG
Ron Stone, CB Denard Walker, DT Ted Washington, TE
Roland Williams, RB Amos Zereoue.
Key losses: DE Trace Armstrong, LB
Eric Barton, WR Tim Brown, DT Rod Coleman, RB Charlie
Garner, LB Eric Johnson, QB Rick Mirer, C Barret Robbins,
LB Bill Romanowski, TE O.J. Santiago, CB Terrance
Shaw, OL Matt Stinchcomb, DT Dana Stubblefield, S
Rod Woodson.
Pre-snap read: In one year, the Raiders
fell from 11-5 Super Bowl runners-up to AFC doormats.
Many of the aged players were released, including
"Mr. Raider," Tim Brown. Turner's offense
will be much different from the short-passing West
Coast scheme the team ran the past few years. He figures
to use RB Tyrone Wheatley as his power back, setting
up his deep-passing game. Rich Gannon, who missed
the final nine games in 2003 with a shoulder injury,
returns as the starting QB. But Collins, the strong-armed
former New York Giant, is the team's next starter
— be it this season or next. With Brown gone,
2000 second-round WR Jerry Porter will get his chance
to shine opposite the ageless Jerry Rice. In an attempt
to fix a defense that ranked 30th last season, the
Raiders will run a 3-4 scheme. Former Tampa Bay star
Sapp and John Parrella both will move from tackle
to end.
What to expect: With so many new
faces, the Raiders can't expect to be a playoff contender
this season. A .500 record would be a success.
The line on the line: One of the
league's most overhauled lines, the Raiders could
feature new starters at four positions. Robert Gallery,
the team's top draft pick this year, is expected to
start at guard initially. Grade: C-
NFL
AFC West: San Diego Chargers preview
Predicted order of finish in the AFC West: Fourth
Coach: Marty Schottenheimer, third
season (12-20), 19th season overall (165-113-1).
2003: 4-12 (third in AFC West). The Chargers opened
2-10.
Key additions: LB Steve Foley, LB
Randall Godfrey, OG Mike Goff, C Nick Hardwick, OL
Leander Jordan, K Nate Kaeding, OT Roman Oben, QB
Philip Rivers.
Key losses: TE Stephen Alexander,
P Darren Bennett, WR David Boston, K Steve Christie,
OG Kelvin Garmon, OL Bob Hallen, DE Raylee Johnson,
S Kwamie Lassiter, OT Damion McIntosh, OL Solomon
Page, OT Vaughn Parker, C Cory Raymer, DE Marcellus
Wiley.
Pre-snap read: The Chargers have
become one of the league's most directionless teams
— a team so bad that the top prospect in the
draft did not want to play for them. Since a 6-1 start
in Schottenheimer's first season (2002), they have
gone 6-19. Last year's debacle led the team to draft
Eli Manning; and because he did not want to play for
a team starting over at nearly every offensive position,
they traded him for Rivers. The rookie QB is expected
to take the starting job from three-year veteran Drew
Brees (57.6 percent completion rate, 15 interceptions
in 11 games in 2003). Not counting Rivers, the team
will have six new starters on offense, including the
entire line. Under new coordinator Wade Phillips,
the defense is switching from a 4-3 to a 3-4 to try
to allow less than the 350 yards per game it gave
up in 2003. Their 20 takeaways were tied for second
fewest. That unit will have six new starters.
What to expect: This team will finish
last in the AFC West. The only question is whether
the Spanos family will have patience enough to keep
Schottenheimer around beyond this season.
The line on the line: They led the
league in average per rush (5.1), sixth in rushing
yards per game (134) and gave up just 29 sacks. Then
they let four starters leave, and the fifth (C Jason
Ball) is holding out. Grade: D+
NFL
New England
Patriots preview
Predicted order of finish in the AFC East: First
Coach: Bill Belichick, fifth season
(39-25), 11th season overall (82-70).
2003: 14-2 (first in AFC East). Beat Tennessee 17-14
in AFC divisional playoffs; beat Indianapolis 24-14
in AFC title game; beat Carolina 32-29 in Super Bowl
XXXVIII.
Key additions: RB Corey Dillon, OL
Bob Hallen, P Josh Miller, DT Keith Traylor, TE Ben
Watson, DT Vince Wilfork.
Key losses: OL Mike Compton, DE Bobby
Hamilton, QB Damon Huard, RB Antowain Smith, DT Ted
Washington, OL Damien Woody.
Pre-snap read: The Patriots, winners
of two of the past three NFL titles, are seeking to
become the first dynasty of the free-agency era. The
Patriots have added to both sides of the ball. The
most significant move was trading for Dillon, who
will be expected to lift a rushing offense that ranked
27th (just over 100 yards per game) last season. Dillon,
29, averaged 1,253 yards rushing in his first six
seasons in Cincinnati, before injuries limited him
to 541 yards last season. The passing game, which
ranked ninth last season, could be even better as
young WRs Deion Branch, David Givens and Bethel Johnson
get more involved for QB Tom Brady. On defense, the
Pats are deep — if a little long in the tooth
in places. The unit was the seventh best in the league
— fourth vs. the run — in 2003. If it
is to stay among the league's best, Traylor and top-pick
Wilfork will have to fill Washington's big shoes in
the middle. The team has depth at corner, with second-year
CB Asante Samuel and vets Tyrone Poole and Ty Law
(who has recanted his desire to be traded). The healthy
return of LB Rosevelt Colvin from a severe hip injury
would be a plus.
What to expect: The defending champs,
who have won 15 consecutive games (including playoffs),
will win the AFC East but likely fall short of becoming
the first dynasty of the free-agency era.
The line on the line: This group
is built to protect Brady, and that is evident in
the fact that the Pats averaged under 4.0 yards per
rush in 2003 — the 18th straight season the
team has not reached 4.0. Grade: B-
NFL
AFC East: Buffalo Bills preview
Predicted order of finish in the AFC East: Second
Coach: Mike Mularkey, first season.
2003: 6-10 (fourth in AFC East). Lost seven of last
nine games as offense struggled (ranked 30th). That
cost the job of coach Gregg Williams (17-31 in three
seasons).
Key additions: WR Lee Evans, QB J.P.
Losman, QB Shane Matthews, OG Chris Villarrial, CB
Troy Vincent.
Key losses: OG Ruben Brown, FB Sam
Gash, DE Keith McKenzie, OT Marques Sullivan, CB Antoine
Winfield.
Pre-snap read: The big task for Mularkey,
coordinator Tom Clements and QB coach Sam Wyche will
be to try to return QB Drew Bledsoe and the Bills'
offense to their record-setting ways of 2002. The
Bills intend to run the ball more and improve pass
protection, and they will use a more disciplined passing
scheme than they ran under former coordinator Kevin
Gilbride. Evans, the team's first pick in this year's
draft, was brought in to add the speed the team lost
last year when Peerless Price went to Atlanta. With
star WR Eric Moulds healthy and 2002 second-round
pick Josh Reed working the middle of the field, the
Bills could have a very potent passing game. Willis
McGahee, the team's top pick in 2003, has rehabilitated
from a serious knee injury and will back up Travis
Henry. With the exception of bringing in Vincent to
replace Winfield, Mularkey left alone the defense
that ranked second in the league in 2003. The Bills
have playmakers all over that side of the ball: DTs
Sam Adams and Pat Williams, LBs London Fletcher and
Takeo Spikes and CBs Vincent and Nate Clements.
What to expect: The Bills will try
to duplicate Tampa Bay's feat of two seasons ago,
when new coach Jon Gruden left the successful defense
alone, revamped the offense and won the Super Bowl.
The Bills could push for a wild-card spot.
The line on the line: This unit struggled
in 2003, giving up the most sacks in the league (51).
RT Mike Williams, a former top-10 draft pick, has
been a disappointment. Line guru Jim McNally was brought
in to help Williams and his linemates. Grade:
C-
NFL
AFC East: New York Jets preview
Predicted order of finish in the AFC East: Third
Coach: Herman Edwards, fourth season
(25-23).
2003: 6-10 (fourth in AFC East). Started 0-5 without
injured QB Chad Pennington.
Key additions: CB David Barrett,
LB Eric Barton, QB Quincy Carter, OG Pete Kendall,
WR Justin McCareins, S Reggie Tongue, LB Jonathan
Vilma.
Key losses: CB Aaron Beasley, WR
Curtis Conway, S Sam Garnes, P Toby Gowin, LB Marvin
Jones, LB Mo Lewis, OG Dave Szott, QB Vinny Testaverde.
Pre-snap read: The Jets need find
a way to stop the run and score more points. They
were 28th vs. the run in 2003 (143 yards per game),
and they were in the bottom third of the league in
scoring (17.7 ppg). McCareins was obtained in a trade
from Tennessee to complement Santana Moss, the speedster
who broke out in his third season. Pennington, who
missed the first six games of 2003 with a broken wrist,
needs to stay healthy because the Jets' backup is
Carter, a recent addition who was mediocre as the
Dallas Cowboys' starter. Pennington, in his fifth
season, has yet to start a season opener. RB Curtis
Martin, 31, is aiming for his 10th straight 1,000-yard
season. But the Jets want to get fourth-year RB LaMont
Jordan more involved in the offense, too. The team
added Kendall during camp after he was surprisingly
cut by the Arizona Cardinals. He should provide a
boost in the interior blocking. Donnie Henderson,
who replaces Ted Cottrell as defensive coordinator,
will run an attacking defense that involves everyone,
not just DEs John Abraham and Shaun Ellis. He also
will try to get the best out of the team's other young
defenders — DT Dewayne Robertson and LBs Victor
Hobson and Vilma.
What to expect: They will likely
be on the cusp of the playoffs — and could make
it if Pennington stays healthy and the defense improves.
They'll have to take advantage of a seemingly soft
early schedule because December won't be friendly.
The line on the line: The addition
of LG Pete Kendall upgrades a weakness. Kendall will
play next to All-Pro C Kevin Mawae, his one-time teammate
with the Seahawks. OTs Jason Fabini and Kareem McKenzie
are solid. Grade: B
NFL
AFC East: Miami Dolphins preview
Predicted order of finish in the AFC East: Fourth
Coach: Dave Wannstedt, fifth season
(41-23), 11th season overall (81-79).
2003: 10-6 (second in AFC East). The Dolphins were
the first team since 1991 to win 10 games and not
make the playoffs.
Key additions: WR Marty Booker, WR
David Boston, OT Vernon Carey, S Antuan Edwards, QB
A.J. Feeley, CB Reggie Howard, OG Jeno James, RB Sammy
Morris, OT John St. Clair.
Key losses: CB Terrell Buckley, OT
Mark Dixon, QB Brian Griese, S Brock Marion, WR James
McKnight, DE Adewale Ogunleye, OG Todd Perry, C Tim
Ruddy, OT Todd Wade, RB Ricky Williams.
Pre-snap read: The panic was nearly
palpable when Williams unexpectedly announced his
retirement just before camp opened at the end of July.
And then Boston — expected to help a lackluster
passing game — suffered a season-ending knee
injury. Williams led the league with 392 rushing attempts
in 2003 and touched the ball on 59 percent of the
Dolphins' plays. Morris beat out RB Travis Minor to
start, and Miami likely will start with incumbent
QB Jay Fiedler and also use newcomer Feeley. The lone
proven playmakers on offense are WRs Chris Chambers
and Booker, who was obtained in trade that sent Ogunleye
to Chicago. The defense ranked 10th last season but
could suffer from the absence of Ogunleye, who had
24.5 sacks the past two seasons. Even if the defense
plays up to past performance, it will be up to the
offense to get the team to the playoffs for the first
time in three years. Wannstedt is in the final year
of his contract, and another no-playoff season won't
be good enough.
What to expect: An inept offense
will be the team's and Wannstedt's undoing.
The line on the line: After the Dolphins
averaged just 3.7 yards per rush in 2003, they let
four starters go and brought in three new players.
LT Wade Smith might be the only returning starter
on a unit full of question marks. Grade: D
NFL
Baltimore
Ravens preview
Predicted order of finish in the AFC North: First
Coach: Brian Billick, sixth season
(47-33).
2003: 10-6 (first in AFC North). Lost to Tennessee
20-12 in AFC wild-card playoff.
Key additions: DT Dwan Edwards, WR
Devard Darling, WR Kevin Johnson, CB Deion Sanders.
Key losses: CB Tom Knight, WR Marcus
Robinson, WR Frank Sanders.
Pre-snap read: The Ravens made the
playoffs last season on the strength of RB Jamal Lewis'
2,066 rushing yards and the league's third-ranked
defense. To get farther, they will need a good season
from QB Kyle Boller, their first-round draft pick
in 2003. He has Lewis, an excellent offensive line,
and a very good defense. He just needs to utilize
Pro Bowl TE Todd Heap and WRs Travis Taylor and Johnson.
With the exception of injured LB Peter Boulware, the
defense returns pretty much intact. Adalius Thomas
will step in for Boulware, and Deion Sanders, 37,
returns from a three-year retirement to take injured
Dale Carter's spot as the nickel back. The Ravens
might lose Lewis in November when his trial for felony
drug charges begins.
What to expect: The passing game
will struggle again, and if Jamal Lewis misses time,
the Ravens will have an uphill climb to make the playoffs
for the fourth time under Billick.
The line on the line: Led by All-Pro
LT Jonathan Ogden, this unit is built for brute blocking,
and it showed it last season by leading Jamal Lewis
to the second-best rushing yardage total in NFL history.
Pass blocking is a group weakness. Grade:
B
NFL
AFC North: Cincinnati Bengals preview
Predicted order of finish in the AFC North: Second
Coach: Marvin Lewis, second season
(8-8).
2003: 8-8 (second in AFC North). Rebounded from a
1-4 start to finish .500.
Key additions: S Kim Herring, OL
Larry Moore, CB Deltha O'Neal, RB Chris Perry, CB
Keiwan Ratliff, LB Nate Webster, OG Bobbie Williams.
Key losses: RB Brandon Bennett, CB
Jeff Burris, RB Corey Dillon, DT Oliver Gibson, OG
Mike Goff, CB Artrell Hawkins, OG Matt O'Dwyer, FS
Mark Roman, LB Adrian Ross.
Pre-snap read: Even though the Bengals
made strides toward respectability last season with
Jon Kitna at quarterback, Lewis decided to hand the
starting job to untested Carson Palmer this season.
The 2003 No. 1 draft pick did not play a down last
season as Kitna guided the offense and was named NFL
comeback player of the year after completing 62.3
percent for 3,591 yards, 26 TDs and 15 INTs. Palmer
has a stronger arm, and the Bengals would like to
take advantage of it by getting big plays with WRs
Chad Johnson, Peter Warrick and Kelley Washington.
The running game belongs to Rudi Johnson full time
after Dillon was traded to the New England Patriots.
The team also drafted Perry in the first round; he
could be the starter in 2005 because Rudi Johnson
is a free agent after the season. The defense will
have to improve if the Bengals are going to. Lewis
tried to inject some speed and playmaking ability
into a unit that ranked 28th last season. Webster
takes over at middle linebacker, O'Neal — a
former first-round pick of the Denver Broncos —
takes the corner opposite Tory James, and Herring
is the new free safety. Nothing was done to improve
a pass rush that produced just 30 sacks last season.
What to expect: Making the move to
Palmer will hurt the progress the Bengals made last
season, and they'll be hard-pressed to achieve their
first winning season since 1990.
The line on the line: It's one of
the league's better lines, anchored by former first-round
tackles Willie Anderson and Levi Jones. Williams replaces
Goff as the starter at right guard, but everyone else
returns. Grade: B+
NFL
AFC North: Pittsburgh Steelers preview
Predicted order of finish in the AFC North: Third
Coach: Bill Cowher, 13th season (115-76-1).
2003: 6-10 (third in AFC North). A 2-6 start ruined
the season.
Key additions: CB Ricardo Colclough,
P Chris Gardocki, QB Ben Roethlisberger, RB Duce Staley,
CB Willie Williams.
Key losses: S Brent Alexander, DE
Rodney Bailey, TE Mark Bruener, LB Jason Gildon, P
Josh Miller, CB Dewayne Washington, RB Amos Zereoue.
Pre-snap read: The Steelers are coming
off their first losing season in four years, a six-win
mark that tied for the worst in Cowher's tenure. But
the team showed its faith in the coach by giving him
a two-year contract extension through 2007. Cowher
plans a renewed emphasis on the running game after
the offense averaged a measly 93 rushing yards per
game in 2003 — 31st in the league. Staley, a
former Philadelphia Eagle, was brought in to lead
the charge. The team kept its all-time rushing leader,
Jerome Bettis, after he took a pay cut. Tommy Maddox
will likely remain the starter for one more season,
with top draft pick Roethlisberger waiting in the
wings. WRs Hines Ward and Plaxico Burress are both
unhappy with their contracts, but that should motivate
them. Burress is coming off a bad season. The defense
was in the top 10 for the 11th consecutive season,
but the pass defense must become more consistent.
What to expect: The Steelers will
contend for the division title if their rushing game
rebounds.
The line on the line: Injuries gutted
this unit in 2003, and RG Kendall Simmons (knee) will
miss this season. The strength of the line is in the
middle, with Pro Bowl LG Alan Faneca and C Jeff Hartings.
Grade: C+
NFL
AFC North: Cleveland Browns preview
Predicted order of finish in the AFC North: Fourth
Coach: Butch Davis, fourth season
(21-27).
2003: 5-11 (fourth in AFC North). After 3-3 start,
lost eight of last 10 games playing musical quarterbacks.
Key additions: DE Ebenezer Ekuban,
QB Jeff Garcia, OG Kelvin Garmon, LB Warrick Holdman,
FB Terrelle Smith, TE Kellen Winslow.
Key losses: QB Tim Couch, P Chris
Gardocki, OL Shaun O'Hara, OG Barry Stokes, RB Jamel
White.
Pre-snap read: Davis ended the Tim
Couch era and his system of musical QBs (Kelly Holcomb
being the other) by bringing in former San Francisco
49er Garcia. He and first-round pick Winslow are expected
to boost the passing game that averaged just 177 yards
in 2003 and provide more scoring for the Browns, who
were 29th in points. Garcia has other good targets
in WRs Quincy Morgan, Andre Davis and Dennis Northcutt
(62 catches, 729 yards, 2 TDs in 2003). The running
game needs some consistency, and it appears second-year
RB Lee Suggs will start ahead of troubled former first-rounder
William Green. In four games last season, Suggs averaged
5.2 yards per carry; he rushed for 186 yards and two
TDs against Cincinnati in the finale. Despite investing
two top-five draft picks on defensive linemen in the
past five years, the Browns have not progressed on
that side of the ball. They went with a youthful bunch
of linebackers in 2003 and paid the price, finishing
23rd against the run and near the bottom of the league
in forced fumbles (seven). The additions of Holdman
and Ekuban will help depth but probably not the overall
performance of the defense. After three seasons, Davis
has turned this into his team, and that isn't necessarily
a good thing.
What to expect: Garcia will not be
much of an upgrade at QB, and the offensive line and
defense still won't be good enough to get this team
to the playoffs.
The line on the line: This ever-changing
group has been the source of many of the Browns' problems
since returning to the league in 1999. LT Ross Verba
is an out-of-position guard and is coming off a 2003
triceps injury. Grade: C-
NFL
Indianapolis
Colts preview
Predicted order of finish in the AFC South: First
Coach: Tony Dungy, third season (22-10),
ninth season overall (76-52).
2003: 12-4 (first in AFC South). Beat Denver 41-10
in AFC wild-card playoff; beat Kansas City 38-31 in
divisional playoff; lost to New England 24-14 in AFC
title game.
Key additions: None.
Key losses: CB Walt Harris, OT Adam
Meadows, LB Marcus Washington.
Pre-snap read: The Colts were cruising
in 2003 until they were manhandled by the Patriots'
defense in the AFC Championship. Since arriving in
2002, Dungy has taken advantage of the offense Tom
Moore put together under former Colts coach Jim Mora.
Meanwhile, Dungy has turned a defense that had been
one of the league's worst into a top-10 unit. For
the second straight year, the Colts must replace a
standout linebacker. Gary Thornton did well in Mike
Peterson's old shoes in 2003, and Gary Brackett replaces
Washington this year. Donald Strickland, who played
safety as a rookie in 2003, moves into Harris' old
spot on the corner. Run defense was iffy in 2003,
and the team needs better play out of DT Larry Tripplett,
a former Washington Husky, and MLB Rob Morris. The
offense has been one of the league's best since 1999.
With QB Peyton Manning re-signed to a blockbuster
deal, it should continue as such. He has plenty of
options in RB Edgerrin James and WR Marvin Harrison
— both in contract years — and TE Marcus
Pollard and WRs Reggie Wayne and Brandon Stokley.
What to expect: The Colts will be
in the hunt for the Super Bowl. A little better defense,
and they could finally get back there for the first
time since they won it for Baltimore in 1970.
The line on the line: Howard Mudd
continues to craft a solid unit to protect the league's
co-MVP. The 2004 group will have a new RG but otherwise
returns intact. LT Tarik Glenn, the anchor of the
line since 1997, is coming off a sprained knee. Grade:
B+
NFL
AFC South: Tennessee Titans preview
Predicted order of finish in the AFC South: Second
Coach: Jeff Fisher, 10th full season
(88-62).
2003: 12-4 (second in AFC South). Beat Baltimore 20-17
in AFC wild-card playoff; lost to New England 17-14
in divisional playoff.
Key additions: DE Travis Laboy, DE
Antwan Odom, RB Antowain Smith, DT Randy Starks, TE
Ben Troupe.
Key losses: OL Tom Ackerman, RB Eddie George, DE Jevon
Kearse, WR Justin McCareins, DT Robaire Smith.
Pre-snap read: Even though George
is gone — and maybe because he is — the
Titans should stay among the top 10 offenses and perhaps
be better than their No. 8 ranking of 2003. QB Steve
McNair, league co-MVP last season, leads a unit that
has become geared toward the passing game. Derrick
Mason is his top target, and No. 1 pick Troupe joins
TE Erron Kinney, WR Drew Bennett and promising second-year
WR Tyrone Calico (out for the opener with sprained
knees). Second-year RB Chris Brown replaces George,
the team's career rushing leader. Brown should improve
the rushing game, which last year averaged under 4.0
yards per carry for the fourth consecutive season.
The Titans brought in former New England RB Smith
to provide depth behind Brown. The defense, which
ranked 12th in 2003, will be a little younger this
season. The line will have new starters at three spots,
with Kevin Carter moving to DT and Carlos Hall and
Odom starting at end. A season-ending knee injury
to LB Peter Sirmon puts third-year LB Rocky Boiman
in a starting spot. The Titans — severely hampered
by the salary cap again this year — don't have
great depth, so they cannot afford many, if any more,
injuries.
What to expect: The Titans are coming
off their fourth playoff appearance in five years
and look like a good bet to get there again, provided
they stay healthy.
The line on the line: This unit is
a good combination of power and savvy, although it
has not led a very potent rushing attack recently.
LT Brad Hopkins, LG Zach Piller, RG Benji Olson and
RT Fred Miller have been together for four seasons.
Grade: B
NFL
AFC South: Jacksonville Jaguars preview
Predicted order of finish in the AFC South: Third
Coach: Jack Del Rio, second season
(5-11).
2003: 5-11 (third in AFC South). After a 1-7 start,
the Jags won three of their last five.
Key additions: CB Juran Boldan, LB
Greg Favors, S Deon Grant, OT Ephraim Salaam, CB Dewayne
Washington, WR Reggie Williams.
Key losses: DE Tony Brackens, QB Mark Brunell, CB
Fernando Bryant, LB Danny Clark, CB Jason Craft, DE
Hugh Douglas, WR Kevin Johnson, OL Jamar Nesbit, OT
Sammy Williams.
Pre-snap read: This team will go
as far as QB Byron Leftwich allows it to go. With
a top-10 defense, a solid offensive line and an ace
running back, it will be up to Leftwich to make the
improvement expected of a former first-round pick
in his second season. In 2003, the reins to the franchise
were passed from Brunell (who had been there since
1995) to Leftwich. But the rookie threw 16 interceptions
and lost six fumbles. He doesn't have ideal receiving
help. Jimmy Smith is 35, and Williams — the
first-round pick out of Washington — is a rookie.
But RB Fred Taylor is coming off a second consecutive
16-start season and a career-high 1,572 yards, and
the Jags figure to give him the ball some more and
let the defense (ranked No. 6 in 2003) handle the
rest.
What to expect: The Jags have one
of the league's toughest schedules, and it might be
too much to expect more than a .500 record.
The line on the line: Fred Taylor
runs behind one of the best interior trios in the
league — RG Chris Naeole, C Brad Meester and
LG Vince Manuwai. The tackles are more about finesse,
but this line is solid. Grade: B+
NFL
AFC South: Houston Texans preview
Predicted order of finish in the AFC South: Fourth
Coach: Dom Capers, third season (9-23),
seventh season overall (39-57).
2003: 5-11 (fourth in AFC South). After a 2-2 start,
they lost nine of their last 12, including the final
four.
Key additions: LB Jason Babin, TE
Mark Bruener, CB Dunta Robinson, DT Robaire Smith,
OT Todd Wade.
Key losses: LB Charlie Clemons, FB Greg Comella, LB
Steve Foley, DT Steve Martin, OL Greg Randall, S Matt
Stevens.
Pre-snap read: The Texans have nowhere
to go but up after ranking next to last in offense
and defense last season. They had a league-high 17
players on injured reserve in 2003, and health obviously
will help their improvement. On defense, they must
try to merge new defenders (Babin, Robinson, Smith)
with veterans returning from injuries (DLs Gary Walker
and Seth Payne). The first-round picks are expected
to help immediately — Babin with the pass rush,
Robinson on the corner. The Texans have an explosive
young nucleus of offensive players. In 11 starts,
Carr completed just 56.6 percent and had 13 interceptions
and just nine TD passes. In his third season, he must
stay healthy and make greater progress. He has a potential
superstar in second-year WR Andre Johnson, as well
as good complementary receivers in speedster Corey
Bradford and chain mover Jabar Gaffney. RB Domanick
Davis emerged with a 1,000-yard season in 10 starts
as a rookie, and he provides a dual threat as a receiver,
too. Bruener, a former Washington Husky, was signed
to add blocking muscle.
What to expect: The lack of continuity
in the team's first two seasons has delayed the Texans'
progress. A .500 record is probably the best they
can do considering their division is led by two powerhouses.
The line on the line: RT Todd Wade
adds experience to a young line that cut sacks allowed
from a league-record 76 in 2002 to 36 last season.
The questionable position is left tackle, where second-year
player Seth Wand will start. Grade: B-
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